Last of the Gurkhas arrive home from Afghanistan

Members of the last contingent of Gurkhas have arrived home from Afghanistan
to be reunited with their families.

Lcpl Kaushal Shahi of A Company 1st Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles is kissed by his five-year-old daughter Anouska, as soldiers from the company arrive back at the Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, following a six month tour of duty in AfghanistanPhoto: PA

By Agencies

11:18AM BST 23 Apr 2013

Around 80 members of A Company from 1st battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR) were met by friends, family and colleagues when they arrived back at their regimental home at Sir John Moore Barracks, Folkestone, Kent.

Two 1RGR servicemen, Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter, 29, and Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar, 28, died during the six-month Afghanistan tour by the unit.

The men were shot dead at a checkpoint in Nahr-e Saraj on October 30 last year by a man wearing an Afghan National Police uniform.

Lieutenant Colonel David Robinson, commanding officer 1RGR said: "It's great to have the whole battalion home.

"Notwithstanding the loss of two fine comrades, the battalion had a successful tour and made a very positive contribution to Afghanistan and now will be looking forward to some well-earned rest."